Bubble cap securing device



Nov. 15, 1949 B. 0 WHITE 2,488,249

BUBBLE CAP SECURING DEVICE Filed Aug. 6, 1946 qvwnlu l m- 7 9:2. -J' J\INVENTQR imam/m ,6. WHITE By v w zrmw QMM ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 15,1949 BUBBLE CAP SECURING DEVICE Bradford 0. White, Lexington, Mass.,assignor to Stone & Webster Engineering Corp., Boston, Mass., acorporation of Massachusetts Application August 6, 1946, Serial No.688,634

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to bubble cap-riser units of fractionating towerbubble trays and relates more particularly to devices for removablysecuring the bubble caps in position over the risers.

A usual mode of installing and removably securing bubble caps inposition over the vapor risers of bubble trays within a fractionatingtower is to run the shank of a T bolt fastening device up through thebottom opening of the riser from the tray below. By thus operating frombeneath the tray, accidental dropping of the T bolt through the riser ofthe tray being worked on to the tray below, is prevented. The head orcrossbar of the T bolt is then either tack welded to the riser or isheld up by means of a holding bar. Installation of the bubble cap thenfollows. However, this procedure requires two men to insert the boltsand install the bubble caps, and a man to do the tack welding.

One object of this invention is to overcome the disadvantages aforesaidthrough the provision of a new and useful bubble cap-riser unit thatwill enable the cap fastening device to be installed from above thebubble tray without possibility of its being dropped through the riser,that will enable the entire installation to be effected by one man, andrequires no welding of the cap fastening device to the riser.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a bubble cap-riserunit for fractionating tower bubble trays, a new, useful and improvedanchoring or holddown device for the bubble cap.

Another object of this invention isto provide a holddown device forremovably securing or anchoring a bubble cap or like cap member inposition over a vapor riser or like tubular member to be capped, that isself-centering in respect of the riser member when installed and willassume a normally upright position in the riser prior to application ofthe cap member. 7 V V Another object of this invention is to provide aholddown device for use with bubble caps which is'cheaper tomanufacture, more easily installed and may be more easily replaced inservice.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing which forms part of the instantspecification and is to be read .in

conjunction therewith and in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout the views thereof;

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in vertical section of a portion ofabubble tray embodying this invention, the view. depicting the installedrelationship of a single riser in accordance with this invention, itsholddown device and bubble cap; and, V

Figure 2 is a view in plan of the combination of Figure l with thebubble cap removed in order to show details of the holddown device.

In general and in accordance with this inven tion, a vapor riser isprovided with a pair of diametrically opposed openings between its trayand the top of the riser. These openings may be punch-drilled or punchedto a jig and are of a size adequate to receive freely and loosely therespective ends of the head or cross-bar of the novel holddown orfastening device of this invention.

In accordance with this invention also, the shank or stem of theholddown device is provided with a support member; that is, a pair ofsupporting arms extending laterally outwardly from the shank or stem ofthe holddown device in vertically spaced relation to the cross bar andpreferably disposed at right angles, or substantially at right angles,to the shank and at opposite sides thereof. The support member is alsoof a length at least slightly in excess of the inside diameter of thevapor riser and is preferably of a length corresponding to the outsidediameter of the vapor riser. Thus, the device. cannot be dropped orpassed through the vapor riser even when canted, but will be preventedfrom doing so by the support member engaging the top rim of the riser.Moreover, the spacing between the cross member and support member of theholddown is of a determined magnitude such that with the cross mem.. berseated in the openings in the walls of the vapor riser, the supportmember will rest upon the upper rim of the vapor riser, thereby tosupport the holddown in a vertically upright position thus facilitatingsubsequent application .of the bubble cap thereto. Preferably also, thesupport member is disposed at right angles to the cross bar and thus mayoffer a convenient handle for the installer to grip in initially guidingthe holddown device into position in the riser and the riser openings.

In accordance with the invention moreover, the opposite ends of thecross bar are preferably provided with enlarged portions formingcentralizing members disposed preferably on the top surface of the crossbar and of a magnitude, dimension and configuration to engage, orsubstantially engage, the outer periphery of the riser when the crossbar is properly lodged in the riser wall openings, thereby automaticallyto locate the stem of the holddown centrally of the vapor riser. Thefree end of the holddown shank is preferably threaded to receive asecuring nut,

and, in accordance with conventional practice, is adapted to passthrough a central opening in the bubble cap. The bubble cap ispreferably supported on the rim of the vapor riser and is removablyanchored in position over the vapor riser in the usual fashion as by thesecuring nut threadedly engaging the shank of the holddown device andfrictionally engaging the bubble leap.

Referring now more particularly'to the accompanying drawings, a vaporriser l of a bubble plate 2 is provided adjacent its top with a pair ofcorresponding preferably circularjorpeni tgs located at diametricallyopposite sides of theriser. A holddown member of cast, "welded orstampedconstruction having the head or crossjloar i4 and shank 5 is removablydisposed in the riser with its cross bar ends lodged in therespectiveiopenings 3. Each end of the cross bar 4 is preferablyequipped on the top surface with an enlarged portion forming acentralizing member 6 of a Width-preferably l'ess than that of the crossbarb. The respective centralizing members 6 extend "inwardly from theends of the cross bar a distance sufificient to ensure -=that in theinstalled position of the device they will substantially engage the"outer periphery of the riser 1 thereby jto locate the device centrallyof the riser. ,Preferabl-y also, the centralizing members areprofv'ided, respectively, with an inclined plane surface portion] whichby engaging the 'riser l assists in centrally locating the holddown in"the riser, that is, i-thas erself-centering:function.

eppenings 3 are'suitably dimensioned 'toper- -mitthe free entry andwithdrawal of the cross "bar ends inthe assembling and disassembling ofthe --un7t. The openings are -preferably circular, but it is obviousthat they maybe of any other suitable configuration consistent with theattainmentof the foregoing ends and objects.

,A sup ort member extends laterally outwardlv in opposite directionsfrom the shank .15 and at right angles, or substantially right angles,tothes'hank and lto the crossbar A. In length, lthe su port'memberilll'is suitably dimensioned so as ito overlie at each end thetop rim 1;! of the riser 1 thereby toprevent'passage of theholddowndevice through the riser should it The accidentally dropped is'heinginstalled or removed. Additionally. "the support mem'berisdisposed a determined distance away from the cross bar 43 to rest uponthe rim H when the cross bar A is seated in the o en n s '3 and thusserves to hold "the device upright before the bubble cap 8 is ap ied. o

The holddownshanke is of sufiic'ient length to extend throughothe bubblecap 18 which is preferably provided withrad-ial webs 9 by which the cap.is supported on the rim ll. Thehubble vcap .is centrally apertured asat 12 for .the passage .of the holddown shank and a threaded end por-.,tion 13 \ofthe shank is adapted ,to ,be threaded-1y engaged by a nut54 by which the'bubble cap is normally held firmly. in position over theriser l.withitsmountin lugs B seated on theiriseririm Ll. .Iniorderitodisassemble the unit, the nut I4 is removed and the bubble .cap 8 liftedoff. The removal of thenu't LIE wfillpermit the holddown device to dropdown to a position wherein the endsof the-cross .bar 4 ,will'be seatedon the 'hottommarginal walls .of the Openings 3 with the holddown in Janupright position In this posi- 11 0 the centralizing members '6 willclear the nnppermarginalrim of the Openings 3 and the holddown maybemovedflaterally in eitherdirection axially of the cross bar todisengage one or 4 the other of its ends from the corresponding opening3. The holddown is then tilted sufficiently to permit its withdrawalfrom the other opening and from the riser. Installation is accomplishedin the reverse order.

Thus, it will be observed that the objects of this invention have beenaccomplished. The installa- Ztionand removal of the cap fas'teningdevice may be accomplished from above'thetray without danger of theholddown being lost to the tray below; only one man is necessary for theentire operation; welding "is entirely dispensed with, thus facilitatingremoval for replacement and repair; and cost is no greater than that ofthe more conventional types of fastening devices for the purpose;and,the ease of installation is markedly improved.

It will ..be understood that certain features and sub-combinations areof utility and may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. This is contemplated by and "is within the scope-oftheappendedolairns. "It is 'further'obvious that va-r'iouschanges may'bemade in details within the scope of th'e appended :claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention. 'It is therefore to beunderstood that-this invention is not to be limited to thespecific-details shown and described.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is: I

1. A bubble tray comprising a va or riser havinga pair of oppositelydisposed wall openin s a holddown device "having a cross memberextending throughsaid openings and having a shank. extendingf'leng'thwise of .said riser to beyond the top rim thereof, said deviceadditional y having a support member extending laterally outwardly ofsaid shank for supoortingtheho'lddown device in an upright position insaid riser when said cross memberii's seated insaid openings; aibubblecap supportedin position over said rriser; and, securing means co-actingwith the shank of said holddowndevice and with said bubble cap forholding .said bubble capin said position. a

v -2. The combination-Witha vapor riser and .a "bubble cap 'there'forof: a holddown device for ,said can. said device having a shank andacross ihar extending at right angles .to said shank through o positelydisposed openings .in the wall portions of said ,r-ise-r, having asupport member extending outwardlv from said shank in o positedirections at substantially right angles thereto over the .Ltop .rimiofsaid riser for su orting the holddown device in --an upright position insaid .riser when .said cross .bar is seated in saidopen- Lings, .saidcross bar having enlarged ortions ,at

.its ends for locating said shanksubstantia lywcentrallv of said risen;and means carried by .said ,shank for securing said bubble cap inposition vover said riser. l-

3. The combination with a vapor riser anda bubble can therefor of: aholddown device for removably securing .said bubble cap in position.vice having also a support member spaced from said cross bar andextending in opposite directions from said shank at substantially rightangles thereto and to said cross bar over the top rim of said riser forsupporting the holddown device in an upright position in said riser whensaid cross bar is seated in said openings.

4. A holddown device for removably securing a bubble cap on the end of avapor riser comprising in integral relation an elongated head portionadapted to be disposed in the riser with its terminal portions inoppositely disposed openings in the wall of the riser; a shank portionat substantially right angles to said head portion having provision forreceiving fastening means; and, a pair of supporting arms in a verticalplane at substantially right angles to said head portion, for supportingsaid shank portion in an upright position in the riser, said arms alsobeing suitably spaced from said head portion along said shank portion topermit canting of said shank portion sufficient to effect insertion ofsaid terminal portions in said openings as aforesaid and being of alength greater than the inside diameter of the I riser with which it isadapted to be used, whereby said device may not be passed through theriser,

5. A holddown device according to claim 4 in which said head portion hasenlarged end portions forming centralizing members at its opposite endsfor centrally locating the device in the vapor riser when in use.

6. A holddown device according to claim 4 in which said shank portionhas a threaded end.

7. A holddown device according to claim 4 in which said head portion hasenlarged end portions each having an inclined surface and formingcentralizing members at its opposite ends for centrally locating thedevice in the vapor riser when in use.

8. A holddown device according to claim 4 in which said supporting armsare carried by said shank portion and extend laterally outward therefromat substantially right angles thereto and to said head portion.

9. A holddown device according to claim 4 in which said head portion andsaid supporting arms are of substantially equal length.

10. A holddown device for removably securing a cap member on the end ofa tubular member comprising in integral relation an elongated headportion adapted to be disposed in the tubular member with its terminalportions in oppositely disposed openings in the wall of the tubularmember; a shank portion at substantially right angles to said headportion having provision for receiving fastening means; and, a pair ofsupporting arms extending from opposite sides thereof in a verticalplane at substantially right angles to said head portion, for supportingsaid shank portion in an upright position in the tubular member, saidsupporting arms also being suitably spaced from said head portion alongsaid shank portion to permit canting of said shank portion sufficient toeffect insertion of said terminal portions in said openings as aforesaidand being of a length greater than the inside diameter of the tubularmember with which it is adapted to be used, whereby said device may notbe passed through the tubular member.

11. A capped tube assembly comprising a tube member having oppositelydisposed openings in the wall thereof; an apertured cap member at oneend of said tube member; a holddown device for said cap member, saiddevice comprising an elongated head portion disposed in said tube memberwith its terminal portions in said openings, a shank portion protrudingthrough said cap member at substantially right angles to said headportion, and a pair of supporting arms integral with said shank andextending from opposite sides thereof in a vertical plane atsubstantially right angles to said head portion and slightly above andover the rim of the tube member; and, fastening means borne by saidshank portion removably securing said capmember in position at the endof said tube member, whereby upon removing said fastening means forremoving said cap, said supporting arms will contact the rim of saidtube member and in cooperation with said head portion will maintain saidshank portion substantially upright and maintain said REFERENCES CITEDThe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,393,992 Farkas Oct. 18, 19211,873,137 Laird Aug. 23, 1932 2,338,928 Glitsch Jan. 11, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 447,800 Great Britain May 26, 1936

